“Elizabeth, I don’t want you to do this,” Darcy whispered sharply. They remained in the darkened hallway outside their bedroom. “It’s not proper. No one can expect it of you.” Darcy feared that his wife’s assisting Mrs. Joseph during the woman’s delivery would send Elizabeth further into depression, especially if Mrs. Joseph lost the child despite Elizabeth’s best efforts. “I forbid it, Elizabeth.”
There had been a time that those words from him would have guaranteed that Elizabeth would’ve ignored his orders, but with a better understanding between them, she’d come to believe he meant well — meant to protect her. “Fitzwilliam, you know above all others that I’ve no choice. We’re the only ones who stand between disaster and hope for the Josephs.”
“What if we cannot give the Josephs what they seek?” He caressed her cheek. “I cannot bear to see you distraught. You’re my life, Elizabeth. I’d remain lost forever without you.”
Elizabeth walked into his embrace. “My love,” she murmured as she buried her face in his chest. She remained in his arms for several elongated moments before raising her eyes to his. “I shan’t return to my mind’s dark corners. Your love has healed me, Fitzwilliam. So even if I cannot bring Mrs. Joseph’s dreams to fruition, I’ll not retreat to the Elizabeth of late.”
“Are you certain, Elizabeth? This is what you mean to do?”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam. This is what God has placed in my path.”
Darcy kissed her forehead and pulled her closer. “You are an angel — a Christmas angel come to life.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “A non-heavenly being is more likely.”
Darcy smiled easily. “You do know how to bedevil a man’s sanity.”
“You deserved every moment of my disdain,” she asserted.
“Deserved is debatable,” he argued, “but I’d go through it all again to earn your love.”
Elizabeth’s hands fisted at her waist as she stepped away from him. “You do not fight fairly, Fitzwilliam Darcy. How can a woman argue against such statements?”
Darcy smiled broadly. “Fighting requires the asking of forgiveness afterwards by one or both of the opponents. As our bedchamber is currently occupied, that’s not a possibility.”
“See. That’s what I mean. Always the most rational of men.” She went on her tiptoes to kiss his lips. “Let’s rejoin the Josephs for now. We may argue at our leisure after we deal with this crisis.”
Darcy caught her hand. “I’ll add an upcoming argument and a bout of forgiveness to my agenda book.” He bent to kiss her forehead. “I may be rational, but I’m still a man in love.”
“Miss Darcy, do you have a few minutes in which we might speak privately?” Mr. Bennet stood by the music room’s door.
“Certainly, Mr. Bennet. Please come in, and close the door. I just finished my practice.”
He smiled easily. “I waited patiently and enjoyed the music.Your expertise on the pianoforte is as exquisite as Kitty has led me to believe. I wish my daughters possessed such talent, but other than Mary, none of them has showed the discipline for practice.”
Georgiana left the instrument bench. “Join me before the hearth, Mr. Bennet. Should I send for tea?”
“That’s not necessary, Miss Darcy. I’ll not take much of your time.”
Georgiana settled herself on one of the settees. “Hopefully, you’ve not found Pemberley’s hospitality lacking.”
“Far from it. Of course, I’m a man of simple needs: country rather than city living and a bountiful library. Of what I wish to speak is Lizzy’s health. Upon our arrival, I’d planned to address my concerns to Mr. Darcy, but as he’s not available, I’m pleading with you for information. Plus, I’m uneasy with your aunt’s appearance at Pemberley — whether she would attack Lizzy. I tell you, Miss Darcy, I’ll not have it. I love all my daughters, but Elizabeth is the one most like the Bennet family. The rest are very much Gardiners, displaying characteristics of my wife’s relatives.”
“What do you require of me, Mr. Bennet?” His request made her uncomfortable. No one at Pemberley discussed Elizabeth’s gestation.
“Mr. Darcy’s letter described Lizzy’s mental withdrawal. Your brother expressed his anxiety for Elizabeth, and in her letters, my daughter’s innate wit and sauciness is missing. How bad has it been for Elizabeth?”
Georgiana took a deep breath as she composed her response. “I agree Elizabeth has lost that special something that makes her unique. She laughs; she cries; but my sister’s singularity has disappeared. Having to serve Mrs. Bingley during your eldest daughter’s delivery was a double-edged sword. Elizabeth loves Jane and would never wish her sister ill, but Mrs. Bingley’s success greatened Elizabeth’s failures. In fact, I was thankful Elizabeth was not present for Mr. Bingley’s announcement of another child.”
Mr. Bennet nodded his understanding. “And Elizabeth is currently with child?”
“So says Hannah. Early on, Elizabeth’s maid noted her mistress’s condition, but my sister has refused to acknowledge her gravidity. Fitzwilliam has insisted that we accept her reluctance. He has consulted the doctor, and Doctor Palmer advises us to allow Elizabeth to handle this gestation without outside criticism.” Speaking so frankly on this personal subject was both liberating and embarrassing.
Mr. Bennet sighed deeply. “I’ve always known that Elizabeth would find such failures to be pure tragedies. She prides herself on perfection.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Should I anticipate Lady Catherine’s censure, Miss Darcy?”
“I wish I knew for certain, Mr. Bennet. If so, Fitzwilliam shall never forgive Her Ladyship. My brother would banish our aunt from his home, but the damage could already have been inflicted. Kitty is trying to determine if it was truly by necessity that my aunt sought Pemberley’s refuge. Our unease comes from the fact that Lady Catherine sent word to the Collinses the evening before she ordered her coach to Lambton. Kitty hopes Mrs. Collins might share what she knows of Her Ladyship’s motives.”
“Do you think it possible that Lady Catherine will speak openly of Lizzy’s losses?”
Worry misted Georgiana’s eyes. “If she does, it’ll only confirm Elizabeth’s fears of being found wanting.”
“I object to Mr. Darcy’s presence during my wife’s delivery,” Mr. Joseph declared.
“Matthew, that’s not necessary,” Mary said softly.
Elizabeth ignored the man’s objection. “Why do you not read to Mrs. Joseph?” she suggested calmly.
Joseph rose to his feet. “I’ll not read any book until your husband excuses himself from this room,” he demanded.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Mr. Joseph, I’ll remind you that the room belongs to Mr. Darcy. You’re here as my husband’s guest.”
“Oh, I see how it is!” His voice rose in indignation. “Your rescue is limited in its scope. Then never fear, Mrs. Darcy. Mary and I will be out of your way momentarily.”
He shoved past her, and Darcy was immediately on his feet. “Now see here, Joseph. You will take care of my wife’s safety, and you’ll speak to Mrs. Darcy in a civilized tone.”
“Matthew,” Mary pleaded. “We need Mrs. Darcy’s assistance. I need her. Your child needs her.”
Elizabeth watched the color drain from the man’s face. “I understand,” he said through gritted teeth, “but I’ll not see you subjected to censure.”
“Wouldn’t abandoning this room for a stable be seen as foolish?” his wife reasoned.
“Fine,” Joseph said grudgingly. “Give me the book.” He quickly reseated himself beside the bed.
Elizabeth smiled at her husband, who seated himself on the bed’s other side. “I’ve a better idea. Mr. Joseph, I want you to hold your wife’s hand. Whenever Mary has a pain, I want you to take note of the time. Only when Mrs. Joseph’s pains are close together will the baby make its appearance.”
“And what will Mr. Darcy be doing during this wait?” Joseph asked suspiciously.
